Dezeen Magazine

Arm draped in blue lacey fabric

New Designers presents 10 fashion and textiles projects

Dezeen School Shows: clothing informed by Brutalism and a biomaterial that combines crotchet and algae are included in Dezeen's latest school show by New Designers.

Also included is a textile collection that takes cues from the colours and energy present in markets in Asia and a clothing collection that uses mechanised knitting and leatherwork.


New Designers

School: New Designers
Course: BA Fashion and Textiles

Statement:

"New Designers is an annual showcase of the UK's most innovative emerging design talent.

"Since its inception 38 years ago, New Designers has provided a platform for over 3,000 graduates to present their visionary ideas to industry professionals and the public every year.

"The event takes place over two weeks, with different disciplines highlighted in Week One and Week Two, spanning fashion, textiles, furniture, product design, illustration and more."

"Week one of the show takes place from 28 June to 1 July, week two takes place from 5 to 8 July at the Business Design Centre in London."


Model wearing dark overcoat in front of dark grey wall

A Garment to Trust by Morgan Griffiths Hagan

"In an industry fuelled by overconsumption, 'A Garment to Trust' celebrates the beauty of the use and wear of a garment.

"Taking inspiration from the solidity and permanence of brutalist architecture, this collection centres around longevity, durability and versatility.

"Brutalism celebrates the use of quality materials and considered construction, which has been applied to each stage of the design process, from initial visual research to the careful planning of the final collection.

"Researching utilitarian design and workwear highlights the importance of having clothes that you can rely on and trust.

"This collection has been designed with the user experience in mind – unisex, durable, waterproof and multi-seasonal, the garment is a sustainable, wearable solution for modern consumers to treasure for years to come."

Student: Morgan Griffiths Hagan
School: DJCAD, University of Dundee
Course: BDes Hons Textile Design


Close up showing green patterned materials

Untitled by Emma Shoesmith

"Illustrations created with gouache and gold ink sit as the foundation of my mixed media collection. My botanical artwork is translated using processes such as digital print, laser etching and embroidery.

"Further detailing is added implementing traditional goldwork and sublimation printing.

"The creative process allowed me to explore and engage with a grounded balanced colour palette, elevated with my signature use of gold."

Student: Emma Shoesmith
School: Falmouth University
Course: BA (Hons) Textile Design


Model wearing white outfit in front of beige background

Artisanal Heritage by Lucy Dollery

"'Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today and what we pass on to future generations' – UNESCO.

"Artisanal Heritage celebrates the integration of heritage crafts into contemporary design, emphasising the value of quality and longevity.

"As an artisanal designer, I utilise skills such as machine knitting and crochet to create designs that incorporate elements of leather, drawing inspiration from protected heritage sites across the UK.

"My work raises awareness about endangered crafts and their cultural significance, paying tribute to their enduring legacy, inspiring future generations to continue to value and preserve these invaluable treasures."

Student: Lucy Dollery
School: De Montfort University
Course: BA (Hons) Textile Design/Fashion Textile Design


Brightly coloured fabric swatches

Printed Textiles by Niamh Clement

"My research has been driven by found assorted objects and textiles from markets, charity shops, archive collections and museum artefacts.

"These miscellaneous collections express the varied and random nature of human tastes, histories and lives.

"Even objects that have been lost or donated by others, which can appear mundane, hold personal significance to owners and their connection to these objects can tell stories of their lives.

"I have created a personal archive of objects I have connected with, looking at the texture, pattern, and colour they possess and have deconstructed them to reimagine them in my own style.

"My use of found fabrics not only comes from this interest in sustainability but also draws on my interest in the layers of human life found in their objects."

Student: Niamh Clement
School: The Glasgow School of Art
Course: BA (Hons) Textile Design


Earthy fabric swatches laid out

A creative exploration into imperfections found in fruit and vegetables by Emma Kilpatrick

"I wanted to increase awareness surrounding the issue of food waste in the UK.

"I explored perfect and imperfect forms to translate within my knit developments.

"I also experimented with creating three-dimensional, textured pieces, which reflect decay and distorted shapes through use of colour and structure."

Student: Emma Kilpatrick
School: Heriot-Watt University
Course: BA (Hons) Design for Textiles (Fashion, Interior, Art)


Board showing research and outcome of patterned fashion design project

The Sacred Talisman by Dela Ball

"Taking inspiration from objects, colours, the environment, people and trends, I've created new works, elevating the ordinary into something refreshing and with strong emotional concepts.

"Noticing connections between the surrounding environment, and the self, fuels my work and the connections created as a result.

"As designers, I believe we have the responsibility to use our outputs to raise awareness, educate, connect, and inspire others.

"Revealing relationships and encouraging discovery within myself and my audience was an imperative aim during the creation of The Sacred Talisman."

Student: Dela Ball
School: UWTSD - Swansea College of Art
Course: BA (Hons) Surface Pattern and Textiles – Fashion


Earthy-toned fabric swatches

Untitled by Mia Rowe

"My project is about capturing the visual and tactile properties of lichen to reflect how interacting with materials can enhance our emotional wellbeing.

"The symbiotic relationship between lichen and its facilitators is reflective of the connection that people have with inanimate objects, and through exploring these properties the collection reflects how we can reconnect with our environment to encourage moments of calm.

"This exploration of lichen has been reimagined as a collection of woven textiles for a protective interior space.

"The colours within my samples were carefully chosen to mimic the colours of lichen, with greens and browns to be grounding, and yellow to bring a sense of resilience.

"My passion for the meditative process of woven textiles enables me to create fabrics with the visual and tactile experience of the user in mind."

Student: Mia Rowe
School: Hereford College of Arts
Course: BA (Hons) Textile Design


Brightly coloured materials laid out

Cosmic Communications by Hannah Lyness

"My project explores technology, communications and space, inspired by installations at the Tate Modern and initial inspiration from the film A Space odyssey.

"The interior collection comprises of digital and hand printed geometric fabrics, wallpapers and laser cut and stacked hard surface explorations.

"The designs explore bold colour, geometric, linear shapes, metallic finishes and textures. This collection has been imagined for fun and playful domestic interiors."

Student: Hannah Lyness
School: Arts University Bournemouth
Course: BA (Hons) Textiles Design


Chaise lounge, stool and curtain upholstered in ornate fabrics

Pattaya by Lily Cornell

"The Pattaya collection explores the wonders of markets across Asia through a series of prints, each focusing on an individual location.

"The collection looks at these markets but also depicts the beauty of the flora and fauna that surrounds them. The prints use a variety of both digital and traditional techniques to produce a series of exciting and diverse outcomes.

"The bright colours of these markets have heavily influenced the energetic colour palette, with the aim to bring joy and fun back into interior spaces."

Student: Lily Cornell
School: University Centre Colchester
Course: BA (Hons) Fashion and Textiles


Arm draped in blue lacey fabric

Future Membranes by Ruta Vronevskyte

"I am designing for the future of fashion, where the clothes we wear now are no longer appropriate due to climate change; where biosynthetic membranes have emerged as the new form of clothing; where textiles are an extension of the body – a second skin.

"In recent years, environmental damage has become increasingly present, and the call for alternative materials gets louder – leading me to experiment with red algae-based biomaterial.

"Biomaterials cannot undergo traditional processes in textiles, such as printing – unconventional materials are calling for unconventional processes.

"To achieve patterns, I used laser engraved and hand-assembled moulds – the imagery I use to engrave the moulds is inspired by crochet pieces crafted by my late grandmother.

"Traditional crafting is now translated into modern materials."

Student: Ruta Vronevskyte
School: Edinburgh College of Art
Course: BA (Hons)/MA Textiles

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and New Designers. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.